Motorcycle Adventures

Motorcycle Adventures
Many people think motorcycles are a scary and dangerous. I have no fear of them since my grandfather gave me my first ride when I was five years old. He put me right on the gas tank and drove down the street to the park. I was hooked!
While the motorcycle has a popular image as a dangerous machine, I don't fear them. I rode on one for the first time with my grandfather when I was five years old, riding on top of the fuel tank on the way to the park. From that moment on, I couldn't get enough of them. There were many other fun, enjoyable travel adventures with my grandpa after this, but this was the start. We strapped our camping gear to our bikes and we were off, always wearing helmets, and Grandpa never putting is foot too heavily on the accelerator. Our adventures varied from state parks, to various campgrounds and nature centers. Everywhere we went, we made it there in one piece. Grandpa's motorcycle wasn't fancy. It didn't have a side car or fancy add-ons. It's only luxury feature was a back rest, but it was a smooth ride with a great view. I've seen rainbows, hawks, buffalo, and roadside decorations all because there were no doors to block the scenery. Everything seems more exciting on a motorcycle. Once, while driving west on I-80, heavy storm clouds appeared on the horizon. We donned our rain gear at the next rest stop, but the downpour was more than our raincoats could cope with. The flapping noise we heard was our pant legs slapping wetly at our legs! We waited out the rest of the storm under the shelter of an overpass - and decided to buy new rain gear before our next trip. Some trips were short - making a foray across town to see fireworks on the Fourth of July, or to spend time at the hometown festival. Other times the destination was the ballpark in the city, which was great. I found using a motorcycle was the best way to move in and out of traffic and get home fast - even if the driving wasn't always totally legal. My dream of owning a motorcycle started with my grandfather. He was a free-spirited man who loved to travel. He insisted that I accompany him whenever he got the urge to explore the open road. On Saturday mornings, he and I would jump on his bike and take off wherever the road led us. Fairs and museums were some of our favorite destinations No matter where we went; I always enjoyed our journeys together.
By steven caskPublished: 1/29/2008

Top 10 Minibus Driving Tips

Top 10 Minibus Driving Tips
The MinibusClub.co.uk provides a useful guide for driving a minibus. In this article I have selected their top 10 tips for driving safely. Some may seem obvious but they are all worth mentioning. As a minibus driver you are ultimately responsible for your passengers’ safety and the safety of other road users.

1. If your minibus is fitted with a microphone do not use it while the vehicle is moving, unless in an emergency.

2. Do not use a mobile phone. It is now illegal to use a hand held mobile phone or similar device when driving in the UK. It is not illegal to use a mobile phone earpiece or a speaker system but this is not advisable. The police can still prosecute a driver if they are not in proper control or driving carelessly whilst using the phone.

3. Do not engage in conversation with your passengers unless it is a short statement to inform them of safety issues, operational matters or the vehicle’s location.

4. Ensure your passenger’s behavior does not endanger other road users or the safety of your vehicle. Do not allow anything to be thrown out of the windows. Advise passengers to stay seated and do not allow running in the aisle. Try to prevent boisterous behavior and prevent passengers distracting you whilst driving.

5. Allow sufficient stopping distance from the vehicle in front. The stopping distance in a minibus is far greater than that of a car. Remember to add your reaction time to that stopping distance. Extra care needs to be taken when traveling at speed on a motorway or in wet conditions.

6. Brake firmly only when traveling in a straight line. Braking on corners will cause instability. Reduce the minibus’s speed before cornering. When descending a steep winding hill, brake firmly on the straights and ease off on the bends.

7. If taking children to school in a minibus with a passenger capacity of 8 or more, it is obligatory to display the 2 yellow retro-reflective warning signs bearing the symbol of 2 school children.

8. When driving on a motorway try to stay in the left hand lane. A minibus can use the fast lane of a motorway to overtake only if its gross weight does not exceed 7.5 tonnes.

9. Do not use your minibus horn when reversing unless there is danger to a pedestrian or another moving vehicle.

10. Do not park your minibus so that it may cause an obstruction to others. If parking at night, the vehicle’s side and rear lights must be left on. It must always be parked on the nearside of the road unless in a designated parking space.

Driving your minibus safely will prevent accidents. It will also save you money on your minibus insurance as it will increase your no claims bonus. For more minibus advice, visit the Minibusclub.co.uk.

By James Todman
Published: 9/5/2008